Adjustable bicycle-han ole



Patented Oct. 25, |898. J. HUNTER,AA. HOMEWUDD & R. MAHON.

ADJUSTABLE BICYCLE HANDLE.

(Application led May 13, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH HUNTER, ARTHUR l-IOMEWOOD, AND RICHARD MAHON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE BICYCLE-HANDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 612,989, dated October 25, 1898.

Application filed May 13, 1897. Serial N0. 636,342. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH HUNTER, AR- THUR HoMEwooD, and RICHARD MAHoN,citi Zens of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Bicycle-Handles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to certain improvements in bicycles, andV has for its object to provide for the ready adjustment or removal of the handle-bar, as more fully set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a sectional elevation, on the line l l, Fig. 3, of the front portion of a frame and its steering-bar, illustrating our invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3 3, Fig.' 4; and Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of the handle-bar-locking catch and its connected parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the front tube of an ordinary form of bicycle, and B the steering-bar, which at its lower end is connected to the front fork, in which the forward wheel of the machine is held. Surrounding and secured to the upper portion of the steering-bar is a cylindrical box b, forming at its lower end a portion of the usual ball-bearing c and its upper portion being of larger diameter to form an annular chamber b around the steering-bar. The inner wall of the steering-bar is provided with diametrically opposite slots d, arranged at the front and rear of the steering-bar. The handles h are held in a clamp H, from which depends a stem or tubular section I, having an enlarged upper shoulder z', which bears upon the upper end of the steering-bar B and the box b, and in the upper end of the latter are formed notches or slots Z, into which fit corresponding lugs m, projecting from the shoulder fr', so that the shoulder will be held to the steering-bar and turn the latter in guiding the machine. At the lower end of the tubular porof which is slotted at r and iits within an an- 5o nular groove s in the stem of a push-button or knob S. At a point just below the upper end of the spring is inserted or otherwise secured a catch or dog t, which ts within a slot w, formed on the tubular portion I, and projects beyond the periphery of the same into and through one or other of the slots d in the steering-bar and locks the tubular portion to such steering-bar, the two parts being held together until by pressing on the knob S the spring is forced back and the catch t is moved out of the slot d, when the handle and tubular portion rmay be removed.

For convenience in securing the spring in position one side of the lower end of the portion I is cnt away, as at w, so that a screwdriver may be inserted to fasten the springholding screws 'w'.

With a device constructed in accordance with our invention the handles may be adj usted either to the front or to the rear of the steering-bar, as the rider may desire. By pressing the knob S the handle-bar may be readily removed and carried by the rider while the machine is left in any public place, and as it cannot be used without a handlebar the machine will be perfectly safe. The ready removal of the bar also facilitates the packing or shipping of the machine.

By simply placing the stem of the handlebar in position itautomatically locks and adjusts itself ready for riding, avoiding the trouble of getting the handle-bar straight and using a wrench to tighten it in place.

If the push-button or knob be pressed and the handle-bar slightly raised,it maybe turned to such a position as will admit of taking the machine in narrow places, such as hallways or alleys, or it can be hung up in brackets against a wall, so that the wheels or handlebar do not project from the wall.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a cycle, the combination of the handlebar, a hollow stem I depending therefrom, a spring R provided within the stem and havlng alslotted head fr, a knob S extending bar diametreally-opposed slots at the front and rear of the bar to receive the Catch or dog t, and a cylindrical box b secured to the steering-bar and forming an inclosng casing for Jthe slots and looking-dog.

In testimony whereof We affix our sgnaro tures in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH HUNTER.

ARTHUR HOh/IEWOOD. RICHARD BIAHON.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. MINNICK, WILLIAM BENTEL. 

